The Implementation Environment

Abstract

Winning over acquired employees in the early weeks is necessary, but not sufficient. Commitment and morale have to be sustained during the many months (and sometimes years) it can take to bring two companies together. This in turn hinges on how acquirers handle the implementation — how they manage acquired staff and how they manage what, in horizontal mergers, can be a long and tortuous process of organisational change.

‘When there is a threat — fears for job security — the effect is to forget about the team spirit and worry about Number One. It is disastrous for everyone else.’

(Finance Director, leisure)